Washington DC Memorials

DC Memorials for you to enjoy

DC Memorials

The Washington DC Memorials and Monuments, as many of you know, honor the generals, politicians, poets and statesmen who helped to shape this great nation. Most of the Washington DC Memorials are spread out near the National Mall, the Reflecting Pool and the Tidal Basin. However, they are very much spread out when it comes to distance (especially walking distance) between them, which makes it hard to visit all of them on foot. At busy times, traffic and parking makes it also quite difficult to visit the monuments by car. The best way to see all the memorials in Washington DC by taking one of the sightseeing tours offered. Many of the monuments are open late at night (often until around 10-11pm). Seeing them illuminated makes them absolutely memorable at nighttime.

Find a list of the most notable landmarks and Washington DC Memorials in alphabetical order below:



African American Civil War Memorial and Museum

1200 U Street, NW. A Wall of Honor lists the names of 209,145 United States Colored Troops (USCT) who served in the Civil War. The museum explores the African American struggle for freedom in the United States. The Museum is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm, closed on Sundays.



DC War Memorial

On the National Mall, West of 17th St. and Independence Ave. SW. Much less known compared to other Washington DC Memorials, this one commemorates the 26,000 citizens of Washington, DC who served in World War I. To restore this memorial, $7.3 million in funds have been approved by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.



Eisenhower Memorial

Located between 4th and 6th Streets SW. Plans are underway to build a national memorial that will feature a grove of oak trees, huge limestone columns, and a semicircular space made monolithic stone blocks and carvings and inscriptions that depict images of Eisenhower's life. This DC Memorial will be created - you guessed right - to honor President Dwight D. Eisenhower and will cover a four-acre site near the National Mall.



Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

West Potomac Park near Lincoln Memorial on Ohio Drive, SW. This Washington DC Memorial is divided into four outdoor galleries: One for each of FDR's terms in office from 1933 to 1945. You can view several sculptures that depict the 32nd President. Viewing hours are daily from 8am to 11.45pm.



George Mason Memorial

900 Ohio Drive, in East Potomac Park, SW. This Monument was errected to honor George Mason as the author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which inspired Thomas Jefferson while drafting the Declaration of Independence. One of the reasons Mason is remembered in reference to the bill of rights is, that he persuaded our forefathers to include individual rights as a part of the Bill of Rights.



Iwo Jima Memorial

Located on Marshall Drive, right next to the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. This Washington DC Memorials is also known as the United States Marine Corps War Memorial. It has been dedicated to the marines who gave their lives during one of the most historic battles of World War II, the battle of Iwo Jima.



Jefferson Memorial

On 15th Street, SW. Seen on many postcards and even in a lot of movies, this dome-shaped rotunda honors our nation's 3rd president. The 19-foot bronze statue of Jefferson is located right on the Tidal Basin, surrounded by a grove of trees, which makes it extremely beautiful during Cherry Blossom season in the Spring. Hours to check out this Washington DC Memorial are 8am to midnight daily.



Korean War Veterans Memorial

It's on Daniel French Drive and Independence Avenue, SW. The United States of America honors those, who were killed, captured, wounded or remain missing in action during the Korean War, which took place from 1950 to 1953. Nineteen figures represent every ethnic background involved in the battle. The statues are supported by a granite wall with 2,400 faces of land, sea and air support troops. A Pool of Remembrance lists the names of the lost Allied Forces during this war. Viewing hours are from 8am to 11.45pm daily.



Lincoln Memorial

At 23rd Street, between Constitution Avenue and Independence Avenue, NW. Dedicated in 1922 this Washington DC Memorials was built to honor President Abraham Lincoln. A total of thirty-eight Grecian columns surround a statue of Lincoln, who is seated on a ten-foot high marble base within the building. This impressive statue is surrounded by engraved readings of the Gettysburg address, his Second Inaugural address and murals by French painter Jules Guerin. The hours to visit and enjoy this DC Memorial are daily from 8am to midnight.



Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove

On George Washington Parkway, Washington DC. This grove of trees and the 15 acres of gardens are a memorial to President Johnson and a part of the Lady Bird Johnson Park, which honors the former first lady's role in beautifying the country's landscape. With beautiful views of the Potomac River and the Washington, DC skyline, there is no better place for a picnic and some relaxing in-between the daunting Memorial site-seeing stops.



Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial

NW corner of the Tidal Basin at the intersection of West Basin Drive SW and Independence Avenue SW, Washington DC. The memorial, which was opened in August 2011, will honor Dr. Martin Luther King's national and international contributions and vision for all to enjoy a life of freedom, opportunity, and justice. The centerpiece is the Stone of Hope, a 30-foot statue of Dr. King, neighbored by the Inscription Wall that exhibits excerpts of his sermons and public addresses.



National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

Judiciary Square at E Street, NW, right between 4th and 5th Streets. This Washington DC monument honors the service and sacrifices of federal, state and local law enforcers. The marble wall placed here is inscribed with the names of over 17,000 law enforcement officers, who have been killed in the line of duty since the first known death in 1792. A Memorial Fund is campaigning to build the National Law Enforcement Museum underground, right beneath the monument. The museum attached to the DC Memorial is expected to open its doors in 2013.



Pentagon Memorial

Along Interstate 395 at Boundary Channel Drive, Washington DC. The memorial honors the 184 lives lost in the Pentagon and on American Airlines Flight 77 during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The Memorial includes a park and gateway spanning approximately two acres and is available for visitors to show tribute to the mostly civilian lives lost.



Theodore Roosevelt Island

George Washington Memorial Parkway, Washington, DC. This 91-acre wilderness preserve serves and was dedicated as a memorial to the nation's 26th president, honoring his contributions to conservation of public lands for forests, national parks, wildlife and bird refuges, as well as monuments. The island offers 2 1/2 miles of foot trails, allowing you to observe a variety of flora and fauna. A 17-foot bronze statue of Roosevelt marks the center of the small island.



United States Air Force Memorial

One Air Force Memorial Drive, Arlington, Virginia. As one of the more recently created sites, this Washington DC memorial was completed in September 2006. The memorial honors the millions of men and women who have served in the United States Air Force and is open to visitors 24 hours/day.



U. S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

Located at 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW. The Holocaust Museum Washington DC serves as a memorial to the millions of people who were murdered during the Holocaust. It is open to public daily from 10am to 5.30pm, except during the Holidays Yom Kippur and Christmas Day. Due to its popularity, timed passes are distributed on a first-come first-served basis.



United States Navy Memorial

701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., between 7th and 9th Street NW. The Navy memorial commemorates U. S. Naval history and honors all who have served in the sea services. Open 24 hours. The Naval Heritage Center is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5.30pm, closed on Sundays.



Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Along Constitution Avenue and Henry Bacon Drive, NW. This V-shaped granite wall is inscribed with the names of the 58,209 Americans missing or killed in the Vietnam War. Across the lawn you will find the life size bronze sculpture of three young servicemen. Hours are 8am to 11.45pm daily.



Washington Monument

In the heart of the National Mall, opposite of the White House on Constitution Avenue and 15th Street, NW. The memorial to George Washington, the nation's 1st president, took 40 years to complete its original construction due to lack of funds, when it was finally dedicated in 1885. It has recently been refurbished to its original splendor. Take the elevator to the top and see a wonderful view of the city. For free tickets, go (VERY EARLY in the morning) to the kiosk on the Washington Monument grounds at 15th Street and Madison Drive. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. daily except for December 25. Advance tickets are available for a service fee.



Women in Vietnam Memorial

Constitution Avenue and Henry Bacon Drive, NW. Three women in the military - with a wounded soldier - are depicted in this sculpture. The memorial was created to honor the women who served in the Vietnam War. The sculpture was dedicated in 1993 as part of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.



World War II Memorial

17th Street, between Constitution Avenue and Independence Avenue. Probably (at least from our perspective) one of the most beautiful memorials in Washington DC, especially by night. This great structure serves as a peaceful place to remember those who served our country during World War II. The memorial is open 24 hours a day, and as mentioned before, very nice at night time, when not just the memorial, but also the fountains are nicely lit.

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